Page 33 of For the Love of Art

“Sorry. I forgot to tell you to come around back and ring the bell. I’ll have a set of keys made up for you.”

“Would’ve been good to know.”

The lights were off, but the morning sun spilled into the room. As I looked around at all the beautiful artwork, I smiled. I felt like I was home. Little dots were underneath the paintings from the grand opening to signify the sold prints.

“You coming?” Nathan called.

I hadn’t realized he was so far away. I hadn’t even realized I was supposed to follow him.

“Oh!”

I moved quickly, trying to stay upright on my heels as I power walked toward him. It had been years since I had to do everyday life in heels, and I’m sure I looked like a baby gazelle.

He led me to the hallway of doors, still a lot further ahead of me. Nathan opened a door and disappeared into a room. I was just getting the hang of half-jogging in heels when I tripped and crashed right into Nathan. We both fell to the floor, although I was sure Nathan got the worst of it since he somewhat broke my fall.

“Jesus,” Nathan groaned, turning on his back more.

His shift in position made it so I was straddling him, our faces maybe four inches apart. My lips parted as I realized how gorgeous his eyes were up close.

“I- I’m–” I was at a loss for words, likely because I was lost in his eyes. “Wet.” My eyes widened. “I mean, I’m sorry! Are you okay?”

“I’d be more okay if we could get off the ground.”

“Right!”

I scrambled to my feet, quickly running my fingers through my hair to try and make it look somewhat presentable again.

Nathan stood, straightening his suit. I was mortified.

“Sorry about that.”

“It’s not a problem,” Nathan assured me, though it didn’t do much to ease the humiliation. He gestured to the room. “Well? What do you think?”

I looked around the room and realized we were in some kind of office. All the furniture from the desk to the shelves were bright white except the floral printed chair behind the desk and an ugly bright yellow modern looking couch that ran along the wall facing the desk. I walked over to a metal easel in the corner of the room, cradling a beautiful painting of the New York City skyline. On the windowsill just behind the easel were a few small plants. The entire room had white and light grey chevron patterned wallpaper.

“It’s nice.”

“Good. It’s yours.”

“Mine?”

Nathan nodded. “You need an office, don’t you? I know it might not be your style. Maggie decorated it.”

It was impossible to hide my massive grin.

“I like it fine.”

I ran my fingers along the desk's smooth surface before sitting in the chair. It was really comfortable for a chair that seemed to be for show.

“I’m glad you like it.”

“This is surreal. I’ve never had an office before.”

“You’ll need it.”

Nathan walked over to a row of hooks behind the door. He pulled a sleek-looking laptop bag off one of the hooks. He placed the bag on the desk between us, and the sound of the zipper filled the space. He pulled out a laptop and handed it to me.

I opened the computer.